SNBL USA Wins BARDA Contract for Chem and RadNuc Animal Model Development

SNBL USA, Ltd. has been awarded a contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract (HHSO100201500006I), with anticipated issuance of fixed-price and cost reimbursement type task orders, was issued to support the development of chemical, radiological, and nuclear (CRN) countermeasures, enabling participating nonclinical laboratories to assist in the animal model development of medical countermeasures and/or supportive reagents and assays for regulatory acceptance in the U.S.

“SNBL USA is honored to work with BARDA on this contract, which reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing collaborative partnerships to achieve a state of readiness for public health emergencies,” said Dr. Koichiro Fukuzaki, SNBL USA CEO. “We are confident that our fully-licensed facilities, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) experience, and knowledgeable scientific leadership will be a unique scientific resource for BARDA’s programs and research initiatives.”

The development of animal models is a key element in the successful development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) for CRN threats, particularly since efficacy of products directed against most of these threats cannot be verified using clinical studies. Dr. Ronald Manning, SNBL USA Senior Director for Model Development comments, “It is most important that the animal models we develop translate to people; a lot of work remains to be done in this area. SNBL USA is committed to the successful development of well-characterized animal models.”